Why The Rules Are Changing
For years, complimentary lounge access was a key attraction for new credit card sign-ups. However, with a surge in air travel, lounges became overcrowded and the costs for banks subsidising these visits ballooned. As a result, issuers like HDFC Bank,
Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank have introduced minimum spending criteria to ensure the benefit is reserved for active, high-spending customers. For example, many Axis Bank cards now require a spend of ₹50,000 in the previous three months, while some HDFC Bank cards have set quarterly targets as high as ₹60,000. Failing to meet these thresholds means your access will be denied or you'll be charged for the visit.
Shift All Recurring Bills
The simplest way to boost your card spending is to automate payments you're already making. Move all your recurring monthly and quarterly expenses to your credit card. This includes utility bills (electricity, water, gas), mobile and broadband recharges, DTH subscriptions, and insurance premiums. Many service providers now offer an auto-pay facility that can be linked directly to your card. This not only helps you meet your spending targets effortlessly but also ensures you never miss a due date. It’s a classic 'set it and forget it' strategy that consolidates your essential spending in one place.
Consolidate Family Spending with Add-On Cards
If you have family members who are also spending, consider getting them add-on credit cards linked to your primary account. While the add-on cardholder might not always get their own complimentary lounge access, their spending typically counts towards the primary card's spending target. This is an effective way to pool the entire family's expenses—from groceries to fuel to online shopping—onto a single account. It centralises your spending, making it much easier to reach higher thresholds without altering your family's overall budget.
Use Your Card for Every Single Purchase
It may sound obvious, but consciously using your credit card for every small transaction makes a huge difference. That morning coffee, the quick trip to the local kirana store, your commute—it all adds up. Instead of paying with cash or UPI for small-ticket items, make your credit card the default payment method. These small, frequent transactions accumulate over a quarter and can significantly contribute to your spending goal without feeling like you're making a large purchase.
Strategically Pay Rent and Tuition Fees
One of the biggest monthly expenses for many is rent. Several third-party platforms like Cred, NoBroker, and Paytm now allow you to pay your rent using a credit card for a small convenience fee. Similarly, many educational institutions accept fee payments via credit card. Before doing this, calculate if the fee is a worthwhile trade-off for retaining your lounge access and earning reward points. For a large transaction like rent, the boost to your spending tally can often be enough to single-handedly meet your quarterly requirement.
Pre-Load Digital Wallets and Buy Vouchers
If you're nearing the end of a quarter and are still short of your spending target, consider pre-paying for future expenses. You can load money into digital wallets that you frequently use for payments. Another smart tactic is to buy gift vouchers for brands you know you will shop at, such as Amazon, BigBasket, Swiggy, or major retail stores. This allows you to 'spend' the money in the current quarter to meet your target, while you can use the vouchers for your actual shopping over the following months.
